Method and machine for packaging rolls of paper, and pack obtained

ABSTRACT

The pack includes a geometrically ordered group of one or more rolls; a wrapping sheet that laterally wraps the group of rolls and forms folded flaps on two substantially flat and opposite faces of the pack. A respective adhesive sheet is applied to the folded flaps of at least one of the two substantially flat and opposite faces.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to improvements to machines and methodsfor producing packs of rolls, in particular but not exclusively rolls oftissue paper, such as toilet rolls, kitchen towel and the like. Theinvention also relates to improvements to the packs of the aforesaidproducts.

STATE OF THE ART

Rolls of tissue paper, such as toilet paper, kitchen towel and the like,are usually packaged in wrapping sheets made of plastic material, i.e.,in polymer film. A plurality of rolls are arranged in an ordered mannerto form a geometrically ordered group, with one or more rows of rolls,each of which comprises one or more superimposed rolls. These orderedgroups of rolls are wrapped in a wrapping sheet that surrounds the groupof rolls laterally and that has flaps folded against the substantiallyflat opposite faces formed by the flat faces of the rolls, and mutuallywelded.

Machines for wrapping groups of rolls in wrapping sheets are described,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,308,497, 7,707,805, 7,703,264, US2014/0260087, and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,232, EP1067048, EP1312549,EP1992562, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,727,106, 7,654,386, EP1228966.

The flaps of the wrapping sheet, mutually overlapped and folded over thesubstantially flat faces of the group of rolls, are welded by means of aheat welding device. Examples of welding devices are described in US2004/0151481 and in EP 2213577, EP1539586.

The substantially flat and opposite faces of the packs thus obtainedhave irregular surfaces due to the thermal deformations of the plasticfilm caused by the heat welding. The welded area remains exposed and insome cases, can be damaged due to the handling to which the packs aresubjected.

In some cases, welding defects can occur. If welding is incomplete, thepack obtained is not sealed, but can have imperfections and apertures.This can occur, for example, in the event of insufficient weldingtemperatures. In other cases, excessive welding temperatures can causeperforation of the plastic film, with which the wrapping sheet isproduced. The wrapping sheet is usually printed, for example screenprinted, with the manufacturer's brands, decorations or other technicalor advertising information. Printing on the plastic film must be limitedto the area of the film that is wrapped around the lateral surface ofthe pack, while the flaps that are folded and overlapped on thesubstantially flat and opposite faces of the pack must generally be freeof printing, as these areas are welded.

US2012/0145733 discloses a pack for rolls of tissue paper wrapped in awelded plastic film. A handle formed by a self-adhesive sheet materialis applied to the welded pack. The handle is applied to the smoothlateral surface or along a transverse weld of the pack.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,268 discloses a bag made of plastic material, whichhas two ends, respectively a bottom and an opposite top end. Aself-adhesive handle is applied to the top end.

FR809693 discloses a paper pack with one end closed by means of anadhesive handle.

GB883408 discloses a pack for bread with a bottom and an oppositeopening, closed with a perforated sheet.

Therefore, packs of this type have some drawbacks linked to theconfiguration of the welding areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a pack of rolls of tissuepaper, comprising a geometrically ordered group of rolls and a wrappingsheet that laterally wraps the geometrically ordered group of rolls andforms folded flaps on two substantially flat and opposite faces of thepack. Moreover, it is further provided that an adhesive sheet is appliedto said folded flaps of at least one of the two substantially flat andopposite faces of the pack.

The substantially flat surface is, in practice, formed by the flat andexposed face or faces of the roll or rolls forming the geometricallyordered group of rolls.

The geometrically ordered group of rolls can also comprise a singleroll. Preferably, the geometrically ordered group of rolls comprises aplurality of rolls, arranged in two or more rows and in one or morelayers.

Preferably, the folded flaps are mutually overlapped and can be mutuallywelded. In other embodiments, the adhesive sheets can be used to fix thefolded flaps.

Preferably, the adhesive sheets are applied to both the substantiallyflat and opposite faces.

The adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet advantageously covers a widesurface of the flat face, for example at least 30%, preferably at least50%, or at least 70%, more preferably at least 80% of the surface of therespective substantially flat face.

The adhesive sheet can be used to fix the flaps of the wrapping sheetand/or to cover the weld area of the folded and overlapped flaps, forexample for aesthetic reasons, to cover any welding defects, such asholes or areas that are not completely welded. Moreover, the adhesivesheets can be printed, so as to complete the print of the wrappingsheet, normally provided on the lateral surface of the pack.

According to some embodiments, the pack comprises a holding handle. Theholding handle can be formed of an elongated element, for example astrip of plastic film, paper, cardboard or other material, fixedadhesively between the adhesive sheet and the wrapping sheet that wrapsthe rolls. For example, the elongated element can have two ends fixedbetween the adhesive sheet and the substantially flat face of the pack.

In other embodiments the handle can be formed by the adhesive sheetitself, rather than consisting of a further and separate element, whichis fixed adhesively to the pack by means of the adhesive sheet. Forexample, the handle can be formed by incisions or cuts made in a centralnon-adhesive area or portion of the adhesive sheet. In otherembodiments, the adhesive sheet can be folded to form one or two wingsapplied adhesively to the substantially flat face, and a projectingportion or two projecting and folded portions, forming a handle. Holdingcan be facilitated by providing apertures, holes or cut-outs in thesheet.

According to a further aspect, a method for producing a pack of rolls isprovided, comprising the steps of:

forming a geometrically ordered group of one or more rolls;

wrapping a wrapping sheet around the geometrically ordered group ofrolls and folding and mutually overlapping flaps of said wrapping sheeton two substantially flat and opposite faces defined by thegeometrically ordered group of rolls.

The method further comprises the step of applying an adhesive sheet toat least one of the substantially flat and opposite faces.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a machine forproducing packs of rolls comprising:

a wrapping station, configured and arranged to wrap a geometricallyordered group of rolls in a wrapping sheet, forming folded andoverlapped flaps of said wrapping sheet on two substantially flat andopposite faces of said geometrically ordered group of rolls;

along a feed path of the geometrically ordered groups of rolls,downstream of the wrapping station with respect to the direction of feedof the geometrically ordered groups of rolls along the feed path, astation for applying adhesive sheets to at least one of said twosubstantially flat and opposite faces.

Disclosed herein is also a pack of rolls of tissue paper, comprising:

-   -   a geometrically ordered group of one or more rolls;    -   a wrapping sheet that laterally wraps the geometrically ordered        group of one or more rolls and forms folded flaps on two        substantially flat and opposite faces of the pack

characterized in that an adhesive sheet that forms a handle or by meansof which a handle is applied to the substantially flat face is appliedto at least one of the two substantially flat and opposite faces.

Further advantageous characteristics and embodiments of the method, ofthe machine and of the pack are described hereunder and in the appendedclaims, which form an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by following the description andaccompanying drawing, which shows practical embodiments. Morespecifically, in the drawing:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a portion of packaging line to whichmachines according to the invention are added;

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlargement of a head for applying the adhesivesheets to the pack;

FIGS. 3A to 3H illustrate a sequence showing the formation of a packaccording to the method described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the pack;

FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate other embodiments of the pack with a holdinghandle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments refersto the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in differentdrawings identify the same or similar elements. Additionally, thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Also, the followingdetailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope ofthe invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” or “some embodiments” means that the particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed.Thus, the appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in anembodiment” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout thespecification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment(s).Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may becombined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a plan view of the end portion of aproduction line of packs of rolls of web material, such as tissue paper.In the portion of line represented in FIG. 1, reference 1 indicates thestation in which wrapping of each geometrically ordered group of rollsin a wrapping film is carried out, hereinafter referred to as wrappingstation. The wrapping station 1 can comprise a welding unit 1A thatwelds the overlapped folded flaps of wrapping sheet. The wrappingstation 1 and the welding unit 1A can be configured in a known manner,for example as described in the patents cited in the section of thepresent description dedicated to the state of the art.

Reference 3 indicates a feed path of the packs obtained from the station1 toward a station 2 that can comprise a bundler of known type, in whicha plurality of packs are inserted in bags of larger size for subsequenttransport. Reference F indicates the direction of feed of the packs fromstation 1 to station 2.

Characteristically, downstream of the wrapping station 1, between thislatter and the bundler, a station 5 for applying adhesive sheets to theopposite substantially flat and opposite faces of the pack, produced bythe wrapping station 1, is arranged.

In the embodiment of the FIG. 1, the station 5 for applying adhesivesheets comprises four working heads labeled 7A, 7B, 9A, 9B, arranged inpairs on opposite sides of the feed path 3. The four heads aresubstantially the same and one of them is shown in the enlargement ofFIG. 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, four heads areprovided, to allow the station 5 for applying the adhesive sheets tooperate continuously, even during the replacement of consumables, i.e.of the adhesive sheets that the station applies to the packs in transitthrough it. More in particular, the heads 7A, 7B, 9A, 9B are arranged sothat, while the heads 9A, 9B of one pair are operating, the heads 7A, 7Bof the other pair can be idle to allow the exhausted reels ofconsumable, i.e. adhesive sheets, to be removed and replaced with newreels. In other embodiments, a single pair of heads 7A, 7B, or 9A, 9Bcan be provided, in which case the line is stopped to carry out thechange of the consumable.

In some embodiments two or more pairs of heads can be provided, and atleast two pairs of heads can be used simultaneously, making them operatealternately, i.e., using, for example, a first pair to apply theadhesive sheets to the packs at even positions and the other pair toapply adhesive sheets to the packs at odd positions in the flow of packscoming from the wrapping machine 1. More in general, a pair of headsapplies the adhesive sheets to some packs and the other pair of headsapplies the adhesive sheets to the remaining packs. This can be useful,for example, if it is desirable to provide the packs with adhesivesheets of two different types. The concept can be extended to more thantwo of pairs of heads and consequently to more than two different typesof adhesive sheets.

In this case, to carry out the change of the consumable it is possibleto provide a redundant number of pairs of heads with respect to thenumber of pairs operating simultaneously. For example, three pairs ofheads can be provided, two operating and one standing by, which isloaded with the consumable and replaces the first one of the twooperating pairs that exhausts the consumable. In this way a totalredundancy (i.e. four pairs of heads) is not necessary.

It would also be possible to use heads capable of performing a changeon-the-fly of the consumable.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an enlargement of one of the heads7A-9B, which are substantially the same. Reference B1 indicates a reel,on which a backing web is wound; on the backing web adhesive sheets areremovably attached, which are to be applied to the packs advancingthrough the station 5 for applying the adhesive sheets. Reference B2indicates a reel on which the exhausted backing web is wound, i.e. thebacking web from which the adhesive sheets have been detached andapplied to the packs advancing through the station 5 for applying theadhesive sheets.

In practical embodiments, the heads 7A-9B are labeling heads of suitablesize.

Each head 7A-9B comprises an applicator blade 11 arranged with a freeend thereof close to the substantially flat faces of the packs C thatadvance along the feed path 3. A backing web N unwound from the reel B1,and to which detachable adhesive sheets E are applied, is guided aroundthe corner or distal edge of the applicator blade 11, so that, bysynchronizing the feed movement of the backing web N with the advance ofthe packs C along the path 3, the adhesive sheets E are detached fromthe web N and are transferred to the respective substantially flat faceof the pack C, close to which the distal edge of the respective blade 11is positioned. The adhesive present on each adhesive sheet E causesgluing of the adhesive sheet E to the flat face of the pack. Byarranging two heads on the two opposite sides of the feed path 3adhesive sheets or labels E are applied to both the flat andsubstantially opposite faces of the pack C.

Contrary to what is represented in FIG. 1, in other embodiments a singlepair of working heads 7A, 7B can be provided. In this case, replacementof the consumables requires the production line to be temporary stopped.If necessary, an accumulator of the packs or of the single rolls can beprovided upstream of the station 5 for applying the adhesive sheets.

While preferably two opposite adhesive sheets are applied to each pack,one on each flat face, it would also be possible to apply these adhesivesheets to only one of these faces.

The adhesive sheets E are provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive.Any pressure-sensitive adhesive of known type, suitable to adhere to thematerial of which the wrapping sheet F1 is formed, can be used. In someembodiments, to improve adhesion, a pressure system, for examplecomprising a rubber coated roller, indicated schematically with 12 inFIG. 2, can be provided downstream of the area for transfer of theadhesive sheet E from the backing web N to the pack C. Any otherpressure system, such as a sliding shoe, can be provided instead of aroller, although a roller is currently preferable as it does not impedethe regular advance of the packs along the feed path 3.

The method for producing the packs of rolls is illustrated in detail inthe sequence of FIGS. 3A-3G. These figures only show: the rolls to bepackaged indicated with R, the wrapping sheet with which the pack isformed, and the adhesive sheets E applied in the station 5 for applyingthe adhesive sheets. The mechanical members of the various stationsmentioned above are omitted, as they are known or described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3A shows an initial step, in which a geometrically ordered group Gof rolls R is wound with a wrapping sheet F1, typically a plastic film.In the illustrated embodiment the geometrically ordered group G of rollsR has an array of 2×4 rows of rolls, where each row contains 3 rolls. Itmust be understood that this configuration is provided by way of exampleonly and that the number and the arrangement of the rolls R in thegeometrically ordered group G can differ from those illustrated. Theonly fact that is relevant is that the geometrically ordered group G ofrolls R has two substantially flat and opposite faces, defined by theflat faces of the various rolls R exposed on the two sides of the pack.

FIG. 3B shows the subsequent step in which the wrapping sheet F1 hasbeen wound completely around the lateral surface of the geometricallyordered group G of rolls R, overlapping two edges L1, L2 parallel to theaxes of the rolls R. These edges can be welded to one another in amanner known per se.

The wrapping sheet F1 has a width H greater than the height of each rowof rolls R, so that two opposite portions of wrapping sheet F1 projectfrom the geometrically ordered group G of rolls R. These portions arefolded to form flaps F2 that are folded and turned over against thesubstantially flat and opposite lateral faces of the geometricallyordered group G of rolls R. The folded flaps are mutually overlapped,see FIGS. 3C, 3D and 3E.

FIG. 3F shows the pack C formed by the geometrically ordered group G ofrolls R and by the wrapping sheet F1 wound around them. The pack C, notyet completed, is delivered from the wrapping machine 1 in thisconfiguration.

The pack thus produced can be made to pass through the welding unit 1Aof the wrapping station 1. The welding unit 1A has welding members thatcause heat welding of the folded flaps F2 which are overlapped to thetwo substantially flat and opposite faces of the pack C.

In some embodiments, the welding unit 1A can be omitted. In embodimentsof the method, the welding unit can be deactivated. In the case in whichthe welding unit 1A is not provided, or said unit is deactivated, it ispossible to use wrapping sheets made of non-thermoplastic material, suchas paper, the wrapping folds of which are stabilized with the use of theadhesive sheets E. In particular, in this case the pack C can be formedof a single roll R and therefore the geometrically ordered groupconsists of a single roll of paper.

If the welding unit 1A is not provided or is deactivated, between thislatter and the area of application of the adhesive sheets E, i.e., inthe area in which the blades 11 of the heads 7A-9B are located, membersto contain the folded and overlapped flaps F2 can be provided, toprevent the flaps from re-opening. For example, feed belts can beprovided that remain in contact with the substantially flat and oppositefaces of the pack C. Alternatively, stationary surfaces, such asstationary plates, preferably made of or coated with a material with lowcoefficient of friction, such as Teflon® or the like, can be provided.In this case the packs run along the plates and in contact therewith.

In the station 5 for applying the adhesive sheets, two adhesive sheets Eare applied to the two substantially flat opposite faces of the pack C,as schematically illustrated in the FIGS. 3G and 3H.

FIG. 3H illustrates the finished pack C, complete with adhesive sheet Eapplied to the visible substantially flat face. A similar adhesive sheetE is applied to the opposite face (not visible in FIG. 3H). The twoadhesive sheets E applied to the two substantially flat and oppositefaces of the pack C can be the same or different. For example, they canbe of different shape or different size. In some cases, one or the otherof the two adhesive sheets E can be printed. In this case, the prints onthe two adhesive sheets E of the same pack can be different.

Preferably, each adhesive sheet E has a sufficiently large surface tocover the majority of the area of the corresponding substantially flatface to which the adhesive sheet E is applied. For example, the sheet Ecan reach the lateral edges of said substantially flat face. Theadhesive sheet E can also have an edge shaped to follow the roundedshape of the substantially flat face to which it was applied, therounding being present in the corners and being determined by thecylindrical shape of the packed rolls.

Each adhesive sheet E is used to cover the overlapped flaps F2, so as toprotect them and to prevent their creased appearance from giving thepack C an aesthetically unappealing impression.

The adhesive sheets E further perform the function of stabilizing thefolded and overlapped flaps F2. As mentioned above, these flaps couldalso not be thermally welded, but fixed purely through the adhesive withwhich each adhesive sheet E is provided. In this way a more regular packis obtained, as the formation of creases due to the thermal effect ofthe welding unit 1A is avoided. Moreover, the power required for weldingis saved.

When, instead, the folded and overlapped flaps F2 are thermally weldedwith the welding unit 1A, the adhesive sheets E still have the functionof improving the aesthetic appearance of the pack C, of masking anyimperfections such as holes, and of protecting the welded flaps frompossible damage, made more likely by the presence of creases generatedby the temperature on the wrapping sheet F1.

The presence of the adhesive sheets E on one and preferably on both thesubstantially flat and opposite faces of the pack C allows this latterto be provided with writing, decorations, brands or the like on all thefaces, even where the weld between folded and overlapped flaps F2prevents printing of the wrapping sheet F1.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3H the size H of the wrapping sheet issuch that the folded flaps on the two flat faces of the pack C areoverlapped. This is particularly suitable in the case in which thewrapping sheet is closed by welding, before applying the two adhesivesheets E to the two substantially flat opposite faces of the pack. Inother embodiments the wrapping sheet F1 can have a size H smaller thanthat illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3H. In this case the two substantially flatand opposite faces are not completely covered by the wrapping sheet, buthave a free area. An embodiment of this type is shown in FIG. 4.Reference Z indicates a central area of the substantially flat facevisible in FIG. 4, not covered by the wrapping sheet F1. The pack C iscompleted by applying the two adhesive sheets E, which canadvantageously have a perimeter surface provided with glue and a centralsurface without glue. In FIG. 4 the reference C1 indicates a perimeterarea, in practice forming a frame to which the glue is applied andsurrounding an area C2 free of glue. When the adhesive sheet E isapplied to the substantially flat face of the pack C, the glued area C1adheres to the wrapping sheet along the perimeter area of thesubstantially flat face, while the area C2 free of glue remains incontact with the rolls R in the area Z not covered by the wrapping sheetF1.

In this embodiment, the wrapping sheet is normally not welded, as theoverlapping surface of the flaps is insufficient.

The use of a wrapping sheet F1 having a size H smaller than the usualsize (FIGS. 3A-3H) allows a significant saving of consumable.

In some embodiments the adhesive sheets E can be shaped so as to form aholding handle. FIGS. 5A-5F show axonometric views of packs C in whichone of the adhesive sheets E forms or secures a handle indicated withthe reference M in all the embodiments.

In some embodiments, the adhesive sheet E is folded so as to form one ortwo areas glued to the pack, from which a portion of sheet, detachedfrom the pack C, projects to form the handle. This portion of sheet canhave one or more openings forming a grip. In other embodiments, thehandle M is formed by a strip, for example made of plastic film, theends of which are blocked between the adhesive sheet E and thecorresponding substantially flat face of the pack C. In yet otherembodiments, the handle is formed by slit in the adhesive sheet E. Inthis case, the slit can be formed in a central area of the adhesivesheet E without glue, between two glued lateral strips.

In FIG. 5A the adhesive sheet E has two approximately parallel cuts,which define a handle M formed of the same material as the adhesivesheet E. In the area of the handle M, the adhesive sheet E can be freeof glue. In FIG. 5B the adhesive sheet has a portion applied adhesivelyto the substantially flat face of the pack C and a portion free of glue,in which openings defining a grip are formed. Also in this case thehandle is formed by the same adhesive sheet E. In FIG. 5C the handle Mcan be made of a die-cut sheet, to form the apertures defining the grip,which can be glued by means of the adhesive sheet E to the pack C. InFIG. 5D the adhesive sheet E has a central part folded and projectingfrom the pack, preferably free of glue, forming the holding handle withgripping holes. In variants of embodiment, the handle M can be formed bya folded sheet with two flaps that are inserted between the wrappingsheet of the pack C and a double adhesive sheet E. In FIG. 5E the handleM is formed by a strip of material, the ends of which are folded underthe adhesive sheet E, between this latter and the substantially flatface of the pack C. In FIG. 5F the adhesive sheet E has a central area,rectangular in the example illustrated, free of glue, or with a gluethat is less adhesive than the one applied in the area surrounding thecentral area. This latter can be pre-cut along a part of its perimeter:in the example illustrated the central area is rectangular and ispre-cut along three sides. One of the long sides of the perimeter of thecentral area is integral. In this way the central area of the adhesivesheet E can be detached along three sides and remain adhering to theperimeter area of the adhesive sheet along one of the long sides of therectangular central area. The flap of adhesive sheet E delimited by thecentral area can be lifted, as shown in the drawing, and form a handle.The grip can be formed by an incision or by a cut, for example curved,in the raised central portion.

In general, the handle M can be made of the same material that forms theadhesive sheet E. For example, both the handle and the adhesive sheetcan be made of paper, or of plastic. When the handle is formed by anelement applied by means of the adhesive sheet E but which is not anintegral part thereof, as in FIG. 5E, the adhesive sheet E and thehandle can be made of different materials, for example the adhesivesheet E can be made of paper and the handle M of plastic, or vice versa.

In general, the adhesive sheet E can have areas glued with different,more or less adhesive glues, to allow repeated opening and closing ofthe pack C and/or repeated lifting and lowering of the handle formed bythe adhesive sheet E.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A pack of rolls of tissue paper, comprising: ageometrically ordered group of one or more rolls; a wrapping sheet thatlaterally wraps the geometrically ordered group of one or more rolls andforms folded flaps on two substantially flat and opposite faces of thepack; wherein a respective adhesive sheet is applied to said foldedflaps of each of the two substantially flat and opposite faces.
 22. Thepack as claimed in claim 21, wherein the respective adhesive sheet has asurface that covers at least 30% of a surface of a respective one of thetwo substantially flat and opposite faces.
 23. The pack as claimed inclaim 21, wherein the folded flaps of the wrapping sheet are stabilizedin closed position by the respective adhesive sheet.
 24. The pack asclaimed in claim 21, wherein the wrapping sheet comprises a polymericmaterial.
 25. The pack as claimed in claim 21, wherein the folded flapsare mutually welded.
 26. The pack as claimed in claim 21, wherein thefolded flaps are mutually overlapped and completely cover a respectiveone of the two substantially flat and opposite faces.
 27. The pack asclaimed in claim 21, wherein the folded flaps leave an area withoutwrapping sheet on a respective one of the two substantially flat andopposite faces, said area without wrapping sheet being covered by theadhesive sheet.
 28. The pack as claimed in claim 27, wherein theadhesive sheet has a perimeter area provided with glue and a centralarea which is without glue.
 29. The pack as claimed in claim 21, whereinthe pack includes a holding handle.
 30. The pack as claimed in claim 29,wherein the holding handle is formed by the adhesive sheet.
 31. The packas claimed in claim 29, wherein the holding handle is secured to thepack by the adhesive sheet.
 32. A method for producing a pack of rollscomprising steps of: forming a geometrically ordered group of one ormore rolls; wrapping a wrapping sheet around the geometrically orderedgroup of one or more rolls and folding flaps of said wrapping sheet ontwo substantially flat and opposite faces defined by the geometricallyordered group of one or more rolls; and applying a respective adhesivesheet to each of the two substantially flat and opposite faces.
 33. Themethod as claimed in claim 32, wherein the respective adhesive sheet hasa surface that covers at least 30% of a surface of a respective one ofthe two substantially flat and opposite faces.
 34. The method as claimedin claim 32, wherein the folded flaps are mutually joined and stabilizedby the respective adhesive sheet.
 35. The method as claimed in claim 32,further comprising mutually welding the folded flaps before applying therespective adhesive sheet thereto.
 36. The method as claimed in claim32, further comprising forming a handle for the pack.
 37. The method asclaimed in claim 36, wherein the forming of a handle for the packcomprises fixing a handle to the pack by said adhesive sheet.
 38. Themethod as claimed in claim 36, wherein the forming of a handle for thepack comprises shaping the respective adhesive sheet so as to form saidhandle.
 39. A machine for producing packs of rolls comprising: awrapping station, constructed and arranged to wrap a geometricallyordered group of rolls in a wrapping sheet, forming folded flaps of saidwrapping sheet on two substantially flat and opposite faces of saidgeometrically ordered group of rolls; and along a feed path of thegeometrically ordered groups of rolls, downstream of the wrappingstation with respect to a direction of feed of the geometrically orderedgroups of rolls along the feed path, a station for applying respectiveadhesive sheets to each of said two substantially flat and oppositefaces.
 40. The machine as claimed in claim 39, wherein between thewrapping station and the station for applying the adhesive sheets, awelding station is constructed, arranged and controlled to mutually weldthe folded flaps of the wrapping sheet.